Press for making insulators and the like



Oct. 6, 1925. 1,556,440

R. L. HIBBVARD PRESS FOR MAKING INSULATORS AND THE LIKE Filed Dec. 20, 1924 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 9 u 7 E A I" a r -e 2 7m 1 3 4 a zy /U z --30 A Hr; -32! F r Q .:i- 2 3l 3 I 7 V ii 25g. I as. I 46 b1 as] a g/ yf v a 4 Ill/l R. L. HIBBARD PRESS FOR MAKING INSULATORS AND THE LIKE Filed Dec. 20, 1924 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 J' 3 I a FIGZ; I 1 a I i A .I' 33 Oct. 6, 1925.

R. L. HIBBARD PRESS FOR MAKING INSULATORS AND THE LIKE Filed Dec 20. Fl 5 .4-

1924- 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Flt-1.11

amu mm In: r

y/ v I /NV ENT0R Maw Patented Oct. 6, 1925.

UNITED STALTES ROBERT LRHIBBARD, or nnL nvUE, PENNSYLVANIA.

rnnss FOR MAKING INSUL-ATORS AND rnn- LIKE.

Application filed December 20, 1924. Serial No. 757,185.

T 0 aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ROBERT L. HrnBAnD, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Bellevue, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have madea new and useful invention in Improvements in a Press for Making Insulators and thelike, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to presses for man-- ing insulators and the like from plastic material. It has for its principal objects, the provision of improved means whereby the machine may be operated with a reciprocating spindle in the formation of insulators with screw sockets or with suchspindle held against vertical movement to form sockets without screw threads; the provis on of improved and simplified means for giving the mold plunger the intermittent move ments necessarywhen the press is used for making the insulators with the threaded sockets; (3) the provision of improved means for avoiding any longitudinal move ment of the threaded plunger in the plastic material of the insulator being formed at the moment when the motor isreversed to withdraw such plunger which movement (due to the normal clearancebetwcen the spindle thread and its nut) would otherwise mar the plastic thread in the insulator; the provision of improved means for giving an adjustment of the height of the mold plunger head to take care of molds of different sizes; and (5) in general the improvement and simplification of the-insulator press structure, whereby it may be operated at increased speed and with reduced effort and attention on the part of the workman in charge. One embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying, drawing wherein V Figure 1 is a vertical section through the machine. Fig. 2 is a perspective View of the upper portion of the machine viewed from the front and one side. Fig. 3 is a side ele ration of the upper portion of the machine looking toward the other side. Figs. 4 and 5 are sections on the line IV-IV of Fig; 1 showing the parts in two different positions. Fig. 6 is a section on the line VIVI of Fig. 1. Fig. '7 is a detail side elevation showing the locking device employed in connection with the mold plunger operating shaft. Fig. 8 is an enlarged vertical section through the f ction drive and reduction gearing in the base of the machine. Figs. 9 and'lO are front and side elevation views showing a modification. And Fig. 11 is a section showing anothenmodification.

Referring to the drawings, the principal parts of the machine may be catalogued as follows: A is the frame in which are mounted for reciprocation the threaded spindle B and the mold supporting plunger 0.; D is the threaded die carried by the spindle when insulators are to be formed having threaded sockets; isthe insulator mold in which the plastic porcelain is placed preliminary to the pressing or molding ope-ration; F- is a slide member mounted on the guides G and swivelled to the spindle, such slide being normally pulled upward by the counterweight H; I is the nut secured against rotation in the frame by means of which the spindle is raised and lowered; J is an electric motor operating through suitable gearing to rotate the spindle; K is a securing rod for holding the slide F (and the spindle 'swivelled thereto) against vertical move ment when an unthreaded insulator part is to be molded; L is the casing of a switch (Fig. 3), which is operated by the rod M, such rod being in turn operated from an arm N carried by the slide F for securing an automatic reversal of the motor; 0 is aq crank disc for reciprocating the plunger C mounted on the shaft P; Q is a second electric motor for driving the shaft P through the intermediary of the friction connection R- and the reduction gearing in the casing S; T is a. catch bar for intermittently stopping the rotation of the crank disc 0 when the plunger C is in its uppermost position;

and U is a rod connected to the catch T operated by the slide F on its upward move-- ment for r'eleasing'said catch.

lVhen a threaded'die D is employed for forming threaded insulator sockets, the spindle B is in operative relation with the nut I and isreciprocated up and down, rotating in one direction on the downward stroke, and in the reverse direction on the upward'stroke. The d"ive is accomplished from the motor J, whose shaft 1 (Fig. 1) is connected with the shaft 9. by means of a suitable coupling 3, the shaft 2 carrying at its innerend the bevel pinion 4t meshing with the bevel gear in which the spindle 1s splined. The lower end of the spindle is provided with a pair of collars 6 and 7 pinned thereto-on the upper and lower sides of the sleeve forming apart of the slide F. with interposed anti-friction thrust bearings 8 and 9. The counter-weight H connected to the slide F by the chain 10 passing over the pulley 11 serves to press the spindle upward, so that any lost motion between its threads and the nut I is taken up. As a result, any longitudinal movement of the spindle is avoided after the spindle has completed its downward movement and starts upward due to the reversal of the mo tor J. This prevents any deformation of the plastic thread formed in the insulator, such as would occur if the back lash between the spindle and its nut were not taken care of.

The reversal of the motor J when the spindle reaches its upper and lower eX- tremes of movement is secured by means of a suitable switch in the casing L, whose arm 12 (Fig. 3) is operated by a pair of collars 13 and let on the rod M. This rod is guided in a pair of brackets 15 and 16 bolted to the frame A, and carries a pair of collars 17 and 18 secured adjustably upon the rod and adapted to be engaged by the arm N carried by the slide F when the spindle reaches its upper and lower extremes ofmovement, as provided for by the setting of the collars On the other side of the machine (Fig. 2) is the securing rod K, which is brought into service when the machine is to be operated without reciprocating the spindle B, which method of operation is employed, as more fully described later, when insulators are to be formed without threaded sockets, and an unthreaded die is substituted for the die D.

' This rod is screw threaded and secured to the frame A by means of a bolt 19. A pair of nuts 20 and 21 are threaded on the rod and serve to hold the lug 22 carried by the slide F against vertical movement when screwed up against the opposite side of the lug. When the screw die D is used and the operation requires the reciprocation of the spindle, the nuts are screwed along the rod to points indicated in Fig. 2, where they will not interfere with the movements of the slide.

In order to provide for the release of the spindle from the nut I, when the machine is to be operated without a vertical reciprocation of the spindle, as above described, such nut is made in two parts, with flanges 23 mounted in horizontal slideways 24 (Figs. 1, 2 and 3) and movable toward and from each other by means of a bolt 25 extending through both parts of the nut and having a right hand screw portion in engagement with one part and a left hand screw portion in engagement with the other part, so that by ro tating the bolt in one direction, the parts of the nut may be separated to release the spindle, and by rotating it in the reverse direction, the parts may be caused to approach and operatively engage the spindle.

The mold supporting plunger C remains in its uppermost position, as illustrated in Fig. 1, until the die D has moved down to form the interior of the insulator and then moved up sufiiciently for the threads on the die to be disengaged from the plastic threads formed in the insulator socket, at which time the plunger moves down as the spindle moves up, thus providing, in a short interval of time, the necessary clearance to remove the mold E and replace it with another one containing a fresh charge of porcelain. This arrangement greatly increases the capacity of the machine, as the upward movement of the spindle B is relatively slow.

The means, whereby this movement is secured, constitutes one of the features of invention. As indicated in Fig. 1, the plunger is hollow and is guided upon the tubular member 25 seated in the socket 26 forward in the frame casting. One side of the plunger is formed as dovetail guide 27 (Fig. 6), to which is riveted a rack 29, and upon this guide is mounted a slide 30 carrying a shaft 31 provided with a pinion 32. The slide has at one side a flange 32* provided with a plurality of perforations 28, and the shaft 31 has at its end an arm 33 carrying a spring pressed pin 3 1 adapted to engage any one of the perforations depending on the position of rotary adjustment of the shaft. Means are thus provided for adjusting the vertical position of the plunger C with respect to the slide to meet the condition involved in using molds E of different heights upon the plunger.

. I The slide and plunger are reciprocated by the crank disc 0 having the pin 35 provided with the anti-friction roller 36 in engagement with the shelf 37 integral with the slide 30. The crank disc is mounted on the shaft P having a friction drive, later described, and has in its periphery a tooth 38 (Fig. 7) for engagement with a similar tooth 39 on the catch bar T when the crank pin arrives at its uppermost position as indicated in Figs. 1, 7 and 1. This catch bar is automatically released by means of the bar U provided at its upper end with a col lar 40 adapted to be engaged by the lug 41 on the sleeve F during the upward movement of the spindle.

A stop shoulder 42 provided with a wear ring on the socket 26 engages the lower edge &3 of the plunger, as the s'helf 37 reaches the position indicated in Fig. 5, and before the crank pin reaches the lowest extreme of movement as indicated in such figure. A. period of rest is thus provided for the plunger at its lower extreme of movement, while the crank pin is moving through the are marked 00, thus giving the operator a better opportunity to remove the mold It] and replace it by another one than would be the case if the plunger made no pause at the bottom of its stroke.

Th motor Q drives the countershaft 43 through the intermediary of the gears d4,

left. This collar engages the fiber friction disc 53 mounted to turn with the hub 54 keyed to the shaft 47. In this manner, a slip drive is provided for the shaft P, which is driven from the countershaft 47 through the intermediary of the countershaft 55, the change speed gearing 56, 57 (comprising the sets of spur gearson the shafts 47 and 55) and the gears 58 and 59. In order to provide for driving the shaft P positively,

when all the work of pressing the insulators is to be done by the'plunger C, as later described, the clutch member 60 is provided on the end of shaft'47, such clutch being splined on the shaft and having'teeth on its left hand end adapted to interlock with similar teeth on the end of the hub 54, when the member 60 is pushed to the left from the position shown. As shown, the member is disengaged, and the shaft 47 is driven by the friction connection, as'above described. The spring pressed pin 61 adapted to engage suitable grooves in the periphery of the member 60 looks such member in its two positions. r

In operating the machine to make insulators without a threaded socket, the die I) is replaced by one havinga smooth end instead of a threaded one and the spindle is held against vertical movement by means of the nuts 20 and 21, which are adjusted along the threaded rod K until they engage the lug 22 (Fig. 2) with the spindle at the proper vertical position. At theitime the halves of the split'nut I areseparated by means of the bolt 25 and the clutch 60 adjusted inward to give a positive drive for the shaft P, since the work of molding the insulators is now imposed uponthe reciprocating plunger C, instead of upon the spindle B, as is the case where the threaded die D is reciprocated in the second method of operation, later described. At this time, the catch bar T is held up so that the tooth 39 cannot be' engaged'by the tooth 38 on the crank disc 0 (Fig. '7 this being accomplished by adjusting thenut 40 (Fig. 3) down so that it engages the lug 41 and pulls the rod U- upward the necessary distance. Starting with the plunger C in its lowermost position, with its lower end 43 in engagement with the wear ring on the shoulder42, the operator places a mold on the plunger containing the necessary amount of plastic porcelain. The motors J and Q. are then started so as to rotate the spindle B and cause the rotation of the shaft P. The rotation of the shaft P and crank disc 0 cause the crankpin- 35- to lift the plunger, carrying the mold upward so thatit isbrought intooperative relation with the rotating die, thus shaping the porcelain in the mold. The molded insu lator receives its final shape when the crank pin reaches its highest position (Fig. 4), after which the further rotation of the crank disc, allows the plunger to move down Withdrawing the mold from the die, the plunger being stopped when its lower end engages the wear ring on the stop shoulder 42. The plungerxstops momentarily in this position, as the crankpin 35 travels through the arc marked as in Fig. 5, while the plunger is in this position of rest. In this period of rest, the operator removes the mold and replaces it with one containing a fresh charge of porcelain, after which the cycle is repeated. In operating the machine with the threaded die I) to form insulators with threaded sockets, the halves of the split nut I are adjusted toward each other by the bolt 25, so as to engage the spindle B; the nuts 20 and 21 on the rod K are adjusted apart, so as not to interfere with the reciprocation of the slide F and the-spindle swivelled therein; the nut 40 on the catch operating rod U is adapted to its proper position for releasing the catch on the upward movement of the slide and spindle as later described;

and the clutch 60 is moved to its outer adjustment (asshown) so that position of 1?, instead of being positively the shaft driven, is frictionally driven.

A mold,containing a charge'ofporcelain, isplaced on the plunger 0, when such plunger is supported on the stop shoulder 42, as in the previously described operation, and on the further rotation of the crank 4 disc 0, is moved upward to its highest position, t-h ecrank pin and the shelf 37 being thus 'moved from the positionof Fig. ,5 to that of Fig. 4. hen the disc arrives at this position, its rotation is stopped by the catch bar T, the tooth 38 (Fig. 7) engaging the tooth 39. This interruption of the rotat-ion of the crank disc and its drive shaft P is made possible by reason of the friction drive between the members 50 and 54, and the period of rest of the plunger C, thus provided, is utilized to perform the mold ing and socket forming operation by the die D. At this time, the die is screwed down into. the mold and then reversed and run backward asufiicient distance to disengage its screw thread from that formed in the insulator before the plunger starts downward again. -The reversal of the movement of the spindle at its lower extreme of movement, is caused by the engage-- ment of the arm N on the slide F withthe collar 18 (Fig. 3) on the rod M which operates the switch arm 12 to reverse the motor.

After the spindle has moved upward a short Jon lll)

distance, the lug 11 (Fig. 8) also carried by the slide F engages the collar 40, lifting the rod U and disengaging the tooth 39 on the bar T from the tooth 38 (Fig. 7) and permitting the crank disc 0 to continue its forward movement, thus lowering the plunger quickly from its upper position to its extreme lower position, at which time, it is arrested by the stop shoulder 13, and the mold containing the finished insulator is replaced by another mold containing a fresh charge of material. The spindle 15 is automatically reversed at this time by the engagement of the arm N on the slide F (Fig. 3) with the collar 17 on tl rod hi which moves the rod upward causing it to swing the switch arm 12, thus reversing the motor. The spindle now starts down again and the cycle is repeated.

Figs. 9 and '10 illustrate a modified construction of the plunger 61 and its operating means, the other parts ofthe machine being the same as heretofore described. In this construction, the drive shaft 61 carries a pair of doubie crank discs (52, having their pins 68 engaged by the lower forked ends 64 of the connecting rods (35. These rods are pivoted at their upper ends to the sleeve 66 positioned by the nut (36 threaded for vertical adjustment on the plunger to pro vide for the use of molds of varying heights. The end 67 of the plunger is arranged to engage the. stop shoulder 68, before the crank pins reach the lower portions of their stroke, so that a period of rest for the plunger is here provided as in the other form of construction, the forked ends 6% of the connecting rods permitting the necessary lost motion at such time between the connecting rods and crank pins, so that the connection is equivalent in function to the crank pin and shelf construction 35, 37 of the construction of Figs. 1 to 7. The stop bar T operates to engage a tooth G9 on one of the crank discs (52 to stop the movement of the plunger when it and the crank pins are in their uppermost positions, as indicated in Fig. 9, as in the construction of Figs. 1 to 7 and in other respects the operation is parallel.

Fig. 11 illustrates another modification which may be employed when a fixed mold support is used, instead of the plunger C of Fig. 1, which modified machine embodies the novel function of the Fig. 1 construction, however, in that it may be employed for making insulators having threaded sockets and also insulators having unthreaded sockets. The construction here for operating the spindle B is the same throughout as that for operating the spindle in the Fig. 1 construction, except that the parts 10, 11, H and K of the Fig. 1 construction are omitted, and the slide F is arranged so that it may be reciprocated from the shaft .2 by means of the-crank 69 and the connecting rod 70 engaging a pin 71 on the slide. In making insulators with unthreaded socket-s, the nut I engaging the threaded spindle B is disengaged, and the means for reversing the direction of rotation of the spindle is disconnected, so that the slide F and spindle are reciprocated up and down by the crank 69, and the spindle is continuously rotated in one direction. IVhen it is desired to make insulators having threaded sockets, the connecting rod 70 is disconnected from the slide F and the crank 69, and the halves of the nut I are brought into engagement with the threads 'on the spindle B, so that the spindle is moved up and down by reason of its screw action in the nut. The automatic reversing means for the spin-dleis also used, as in the operation of the machine of Fig. 1 in making the threaded sockets.

hat I claim is:

1. In combination in a press,amold support, a threaded spindle provided with a die in opposition to such suport, a nut for the spindle fixed against vertical movement, means for rotating the spindle first in one direction and then-in the other, means swivelled on the spindle and adapted tomove up and down therewith, and a counterweight connected to such means soas to apply force tending to move the spindle upward relative to said nut.

2. In combination in a press, a mold support, a threaded spindle provided with a die in opposition to such support, a nut for the spindle, arranged so that it may be disengaged from the spindle at will, means for rotating the spindle, reversing means whereby the direction 'of rotation of the spindle may be automatically shifted,ineanswhereby the'reversing means may be disconnected so that the spindle may be'rotated continuously in one direction, means swivelled to the spindle and adapted to move up and downtherewith, means for locking such last means against vertical movement, and means for reciprocating the mold support.

3. In combination in a press, a mold support, a threaded spindle provided with a die in opposition to such support, a split nut engaging the spindle, means whereby the. parts of the nut may be brought together to engage the spindle, or may be separated to re lease it, reversing means whereby the direction of rotation of the spindle may be automatically shifted, 'means whereby the reversing means may be disconnected so that the spindle may be rotated continuously in one direction, means swivelled to the spindle and arranged to move up and down therewith, and means for locking such last means against vertical movement.

.i-.-In combination in a press, a mold support, athreaded spindle provided with adie in opposition to such support, a nut for the spindle, arranged so that it may be disengaged from the spindle at will, means for rotating the spindle, reversing means where by the direction of rotation of the spindle may be automatically shifted, means whereby the reversing means may be disconnected so that the spindle. may be rotated continuously in one direction, means swivelled to the spindleand arranged to moveup and down therewith, a counterweight tending to move said means upward, and means for holding such last means against vertical movement. I I

5. In combination in a press, a mold support, a in opposition to such support, a nut for the spindle, arranged so that it may be disengaged from the spindle at will, means for rotating the spindle, reversing means whereby the direction of rotation of the spindle may be'automatically shifted, means whereby the reversing means may be disconnected so that the spindle may be rotated continu-' ously in one direction, means swivelled to the spindle and adapted to move up and down therewith, and adjustable means for locking such last means against vertical movement.

6. In combination in a press, a reciprocating spindle, a mold supporting plunger mounted for vertical movement beneath said spindle, and means for reciprocating the plunger comprising a crank at the side of the plunger mounted on a horizontal axis and having an operative connection with the plunger whereby the plunger is raised and lowered by the rotation of the crank, a friction drive for the crank, a catch for arresting the movement of the crank when it reaches its uper position, and automatic means operated during the upward movement of the spindle for releasing the catch.

7. In combination in a press, a reciprocating spindle, a mold supporting plunger mounted for vertical movement beneath said spindle, and means for reciprocatingthe plunger comprising a crank at the side of the plunger mounted on a horizontal axis, a stop for arresting the downward movement of the plunger before the crank reaches its lowest position, a lost motion connection between the crank and plunger for permitting the continued movement of the crank through the lower portion of its arc of rota tion after the downward movement of the plunger is arrested by said stop, and means for rotating the crank.

8. In combination in a press, a reciprocating spindle, a mold supporting plunger mounted for vertical movement beneath said spindle, and means for reciprocating the plunger comprising a crank at the side ofthe plunger mounted on a horizontal axis, a stop for arresting the downwa d move threaded spindle provided with a die ment of the plunger before the crank reaches its lowest position, a lost motion connection between the crank and plungerfor permitting the continued movement of the crank through the lower portion of its arc of rotation after the downward movement of the plunger is arrested by said stop, a friction drive for the crank, a catch for arresting the movement of the crank when it reaches its upper position, and automatic means operated during the upward movement of the spindle for releasing the catch.

9. In combination in a press, a reciprocating spindle, a mold supporting plunger mounted for vertical movement beneath said spindle, and means for reciprocating the plunger comprising a crankat the side of the plunger mounted on a horizontal axis and having an operative connection with the plunger whereby the plunger is raised and lowered by the rotation of the crank, a friction drive for the crank, a catch for arresting the movement of the crank when it reaches its upper position, and automatic means operated during the upward movement of the spindle for releasing the catch,

the said" operative connection including a member cooperating with the crank and-hav-. ing a vertically adjustable connection with the plunger.

' 10. In combination in a press, a rotating spindle mounted for reciprocation, disco-nnectible means for reciproacting thespindle, means for releasably securing-the spindle in any desired vertical position of adjustment, a mold supporting plunger mounted for vertical movement beneath the spindle, and means for reciprocating the spindle, comprising acrank at the side of the plunger mounted on a horizontal axis and having an operative connection with the plunger whereby the plunger is raised and lowered by the rotation of the crank, means whereby the plunger is arrested before the crank reaches its lowermost position, automatic means whereby the crank is arrested in its .movement for a definite period; when it means wherereaches its upper position, and

be disconby said automatic means may nected from operative relation, when it is desired to operate the press with the rotating spindle secured against vertical movement.

11. In combination in a press, a rotating spindle mounted for reciprocation, disconnectible means for reciprocating the spindle, means for releasably securing the spindle in any desired vertical position of adjustment, a mold supporting plunger mounted for vertical movement beneath the spindle, and means for reciprocating the spindle, comprising a crank at the side of the plunger mounted on a horizontal axis and having an operative connection with the plunger whereby the plunger is raised and lowered by the motion connection bet-ween the crank and plunger for permitting the continued movement of the crank through the lower portion of its arc of rotation after the down ward movement of the plunger is arrested, and means whereby said automatic means may be disconnected from operative rela tion when it is desired to operate the press with the rotating spindle secured against vertical movement.

12. In combination in a press, a rotating spindle mounted for reciprocation, disconnectible means for reciprocating the spin dle, means for releasably securing the spindle in any desired vertical position of arjustment, a mold supporting plunger mount ed for vertical movement beneath the spindle, and means for reciprocating the spindle, comprising a crank at the side of the plunger mounted on a horizontal axis and having an operative connection with .the plunger whereby the plunger is raised and lowered by the rotation of the crank, a friction drive for the crank, a catch for arresting the movement of the crank when it reaches its upper position, automatic means operated during the upward movement of the spindle for releasing the catch, a stop for arresting the downward movement of the plunger before the crank reaches its lowest position, a lost motion connection between the crank and plunger for permitting the continued movement of the crank through the lower portion of its are of rotation after the downward movement of the plunger is arrested, a positive drive for said crank, means whereby a shift may be made at will between said friction drive and said positive drive, and means whereby said automatic means may be disconnected from operative relation when it is desired to operate the press with the rotating spindle secured against vertical movement.

18. In combination in a press, a mold supporting member, a threaded spindle provided with a die, a nut for the spindle arranged so that it may be disengaged from the spindle at will, means for rotating the spindle, means whereby said last means may be automatically reversed, means whereby the reversing means may be disconnected, a member mounted for vertical reciprocation and swivelled to the spindle, and means whereby one of said members may be reciprocated back and forth toward and from the other member.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 12th day of December, 1924.

ROBERT L. HIBBARD. 

